Retinol is the biggest buzzword in topical skincare for anti-aging. However, with
new products hitting the shelves daily combined with thousands of influencers
dishing out advice, it can be a confusing and expensive journey to the right
products. I have found a little education can go a long way in understanding the
things that make up the right routines for our client’s skincare goals.
The reason that we chose to build our Brilliant Studio on the foundational principle that “Healthy Skin is Beautiful” is because it’s actually true. Clear, hydrated, youthful looking skin is healthy, functioning skin.
What factors promote youthful, healthy skin?
#1. Skin needs good cellular turnover to function properly and look healthy. Cellular turnover is the entire process of skin creating new cells that work their way from the bottom to top before shedding. The rate of cellular turnover changes as we age, which means that maintaining good cellular turnover will change as we age as well.
#2. Skin needs the proper balance of hydration and oils to keep the skin barrier
healthy. If skin is not retaining proper hydration, fine lines, wrinkles and texture
issues will develop more quickly. Skin can also be more sensitized and prone to
inflammation and thinning.
#3. Skin needs to be protected from UV rays and environmental factors that can
increase risk of skin cancer, disease, and advanced aging. If skin is not adequately
protected with SPF and antioxidants, our cells can die faster and be more
susceptible to skin cancer and inflammatory skin conditions.
#4 Skin needs the right nutrients and structure in place in order to grow new, healthy cells and to do the other cool things skin is designed to do, such as:
Defend our immune system
Provide proper support to our vascular and nervous system
Manufacture Vitamin D
Regulate heat and provide protection
So, why is Retinol such a big deal?
Retinol has many forms, but it is a Vitamin A derivative that encourages the
shedding process of the skin as part of cellular turnover. Cellular turnover is the
entire process of creating new skin cells that work their way from the bottom to top before shedding. Retinol helps loosen the bonds of keratinocytes (dead skin cells) so they will shed – which helps keep skin smooth and slows down the development of fine lines and wrinkles. That’s a pretty great component of anti-aging.
However, retinol is only one component of healthy, youthful skin. It can encourage
the final stage of cellular turnover, but there are many other things that are factors in maintaining a healthy, youthful glow through life. The rate of cellular turnover, the thickness of the skin, hydration retention, and skin function changes as we age, which means the way we approach our skin care should change, too. The good news, is this process doesn’t have to be difficult, it just has to be intentional. The ideal routine only needs a few well-selected products to keep skin functioning well and aging gracefully. We would love to help you build the perfect routine to keep your skin healthy and beautiful.
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